Universal cone extractor

ABSTRACT

For use in removing conical spreader and snap tie assemblies which hold concrete forms, a tool for removing external portions of the assemblies after the concrete has hardened. The tool consisting of a lever operated claw socket tie breaker and a percussively operated, transversely disposed threaded member.

United States Patent [191 Lagace et al.

[4 Sept. 17, 1974 1 UNIVERSAL CONE EXTRACTOR [76] Inventors: James R. Lagace, 6761 Jackson Dr.;

Nelson D. Sherman, 6751 Jackson Dr., both of San Diego, Calif. 92119 [22] Filed: July 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 382,389

3,546,919 12/1970 Fial 254/131 3,765,220 10/1973 Kirspel 72/705 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 643,410 6/1962 Canada 254/131 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Roscoe V. Parker Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Tom Sherrard [5 7] ABSTRACT For use in removing conical spreader and snap tie assemblies which hold concrete forms, a tool for removing external portions of the assemblies after the concrete has hardened. The tool consisting of a lever operated claw socket tie breaker and a percussively op erated, transversely disposed threaded member.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBSEH mu FIG.3

FIG.2

FIG]

UNIVERSAL CONE EXTRACTOR BACKGROUND Conventional snap ties are placed horizonally through parallel spaced lateral plywood forms for re taining concrete poured between the forms to make a wall or the like. The customary snap ties keep plywood forms from collapsing inward by dual oppositely disposed plastic cones positioned on each tie within the form. The cones abut the plywood with their greater circumference and an enlargement on the tie on their smaller circumference.

Outward bulging of the forms is prevented by enlargements or heads at the ends of the shaft or rod portion of the tie. Aligned on the shaft between the head and cone are retaining pin; common 2 X 4 wood bracing and plywood. Both sides of the form have thissame retaining means.

No single simple tool is found in the prior art to remove the exposed portion of the tie after the concrete has hardened. The center most section of each tie always remains embedded in the concrete while the cones and that portion of the tie shaft, from the base of the cone outward, is removed.

Without our novel tool, workman must take the time, trouble and effort to twist the snap tie ends forcing them to break at a weakened place at the base of the plastic cone through which they penetrate. An ordinary pipe wrench is usually used for this purpose. Next the broken off portion of the snap tie is wiggled around in the orifice through the center of the cone (formerly occupied by it) to dislodge the cone from the concrete and remove it. Some cones, perhaps one fourth or more, have concrete spilled over them whereby additional time and effort is required to remove them.

Our device is a single, simple tool which can easily be used to both twist off the tie portion and remove the cone in a easy and quick manner regardless of how otherwise stubborn the cone would have been. As will be seen, the tool is inexpensive to manufacture, it is fool proof and does not require special skill to use. With alternate sockets, it can be used on any currently manufactured ties.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the device.

FIG. 2 is the same view cut-away FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a socket portion of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified socket portion showing different jaw angulation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing device in use in first step of operation. v

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing device in use in second step of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout, our invention comprises a tie-breaking member consisting, preferably of a claw socket 6 secured to bar 2. An upper jaw 14 is provided with vertical slot 16 opposed by fixed lower jaw 22 containing vertical slot 18 aligned with item 16. Exterior opposing surfaces of the jaws are preferably fiat with the upper surface angled openly to form space 20 between the jaws. Orifice 12 may be provided on a side of the socket to accept a spring loaded pin on bar 2 to retain the socket thereon. y

We have provided sockets of more than one design for use in various snap tie heads. Besides the described type of FIG. 3, we have devised that shown in FIG. 4. Between the two types all commonly used snap tie ends may be accommodated regardless of whether they are circular, pentagonal or hexagonal in shape. The modified socket 46 of FIG. 4 is distinguished by its flat underside of lower jaw 51 with vertial slot 50 and 53. It has v-shaped groove 52 for wedging action and gripping of snap tie shafts. Its upper jaw 48 is rounded in front as illustrated. The sockets are replaced on bar 2 by depressing the pin 8 in orifice l2 and slidably removing them.

Bar 2 is preferably a solid metal element of roper length for manual use. At the end opposite t at on which the socket is mounted, we have tapered a point 4 for use as a chisel. This is optional.

Affixed to bar 2 at its midsection, is shank 26 forming a T-configuration therewith. This shank is preferably a cylindrical rod, made of metal. At its end opposite that adjoining bar 2 we have a threaded-element 44. This may be an ordinary screw held by its head 42 in retainer 36 with bit 38 mating with the slot 40 of the head. Threads 34 engage matching threads of the retainer to hold the screw. Of course threads, with a pointed end may be a portion of the shank 26 without departing from the scope of the invention. The shank, and threaded portion may, together, constitute a threaded member.

The central body portion of our invention is the shank with threaded end, having its opposite end secured to a transverse element, preferably a bar, wherein sockets are provided on the bar. The complete unit is item 10 of FIG. 2.

The last major component of our creation is a hammering means 28. It is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a central orifice running its full length. Rod 26 passes through the orifice and hammering means 28 is slidably mounted on the rod.

In practice, 2 X 4 wood braces and plywood 54 are removed from hardened concrete 58 as usual. See FIG. 5. The jaws of the appropriate socket are wedged onto an exposed section 62 of the snap tie. The tool is manually twisted in direction of arrows 66, 68 and 70 to cause the tie to break, at a pre-weakened place at the inner base of the plastic cone 64. The center section 60 remains in the concrete.

Thereafter threaded end 44 of the tool may be placed in the orifice of the cone, from which the tie came and the rod 2 is turned in the direction of arrows 74 whereby matching threads are cut in the plastic and threaded engagement results. An easy pull on the tool, away from the concrete removes the cone in most cases. If not, due to excess concrete, the bond between the cone and concrete is broken by rapidly moving the means 28 in direction of arrow 72, or arrow 32 of FIG. 2, back and forth, whereby surface 30 strikes surface 24 the force of which breaks out the cone.

We claim:

1. A tie breaking member in combination with a threaded member; said tie breaking member being defined by a bar having a claw socket at one end thereof, said threaded member being defined by a shank secured at one end to said bar and extending normal thereto, the opposite end of said shank being provided with a threaded portion, a sliding mass disposed on said shank between said ends for coacting with an anvil formed adjacent said bar for applying force in a direction opposite that required to secure threaded engagement. 

1. A tie breaking member in combination with a threaded member; said tie breaking member being defined by a bar having a claw socket at one end thereof, said threaded member being defined by a shank secured at one end to said bar and extending normal thereto, the opposite end of said shank being provided with a threaded portion, a sliding mass disposed on said shank between said ends for coacting with an anvil formed adjacent said bar for applying force in a direction opposite that required to secure threaded engagement. 